Re: E tec 50 or JohnsonSuzi 50
That was laughable seahorse. Exaggeration is an understatement. I've never spent that much to maintain even my big F225's! <br /><br />
We are talking about maintenance costs per the manufacturer's recommendation since the motors would be in warranty.
It's not necessary to take your outboard to a dealer, or use factory items to maintain your warranty. That is unless you want to see just how much you
can spend!<br /><br />OEM equivalant filters and oil can be used. Maintenance can be done by the owner, or another experienced and less expensive shop. This will not void your warranty. <br /><br />My 4-stroke owner's manuals show many maintenance items which can be done by the owner. These include oil changes and winterizing, etc. Complete procedures are even in the owner's manual.<br /><br />
Using factory items, a Johnson 4 stroke filter is about $13
OEM or better quality replacement is under $6.00 at my local NAPA.<br /><br />
plus about $3.95 for a quart of Bombardier 4-stroke oil or $5.95 for semi synthetic (200hr.) factory oil.
More like $3.65/quart for an OEM equivalant synthetic exceeding API specifications (200 hr).<br /><br />
Plus a nationwide average of $65 per hour labor, most dealers charge 1 hour for an oil change. You have to remove the motor pan to access the filter.
Having your dealer change your oil is a luxury. Most owners do it themselves (in about 15 minutes). IMO, if you can't change the oil yourself seahorse, you shouldn't own a mechanical piece of equipment like an outboard.<br /><br />
So an oil change would be at least 65+13+16 or $94 per year.
No, an oil change would be about $14.00. That's $6.00 for a filter and 2 quarts of synthetic oil at $3.65 (the Suzuki/Johnson 50 holds about 2 quarts).<br /><br />At the end of the 300 maintenance-free E-TEC hours, the 4-stroke would need two oil changes (one at 10 hours, and one at 200 hours) equaling $28.00. The next change wouldn't be until 400 hours.<br /><br />
Winterizing by a dealer would be around 1 hour plus fogging oil, grease, and l/u lube, around $15 plus $65 or $80.
Winterizing or storing my 4-strokes simply require disconnecting the fuel supply, running the engine dry of fuel, and adding a teaspoon of oil to each cylinder. That's it. 15 minutes. Cost...zero.<br /><br />Fogging a 4-stroke (at least my Yamaha's) is not required. Although greasing and changing the L/U oil is a good idea before winter storage, it is not required either. Having your dealer winterize your outboard is another luxury.<br /><br />
Valve adjust for the 10 hr would be around $65 if none needed new shims. At the second year, the valve adjust would be probably the 2 hour flat rate, 65X2 or $130.
You mean valve
inspection. You're assuming the valves must be adjusted, which generally isn't the case. I have 4-strokes with thousands of hours on them, which have never needed valve adjustment. Valve inspection is again another thing the owner can do himself in no time. At least a less expensive shop (other than the dealer) could do it.<br /><br />
The engine also needs annual service, tune up, and that may be around $125 with parts and labor.
The engine needs what? <br /><br />Remember, the Johnson/Suzuki 50 is EFI. Not much "tune-up" there! Plus, according to your theory, you've
already charged for adjusting the valves, changing engine oil, changing lower unit oil, grease, etc. <br /><br />
So for 3 years, a 4-stroke may cost in maintenance , 4 oil changes, including the 10 hr. ($376)
You've gone from using hours to using years. Again, in the 300 maintenance-free hours of the E-TEC, the 4-stroke will need 2 oil changes. One at 10 hours and one at 200 hours - it won't need another until 400 hours.<br /><br />Cost: $28.00. Not $376.00. <br /><br />
1 valve check plus 1 valve adjust ($195)
I'll assume the owner can check his valves, and that they won't need adjustment (since mine never do). If he can't do that, I'll at least say he can do it less expensively.<br /><br />Cost $0. Not $195.<br /><br />
I'll assume an owner can run his outboard dry of fuel and put a little oil in each cylinder. Again, having your dealer winterize your outboard would be a luxury.<br /><br />Cost: $0. Not $160.<br /><br />
and at least 2 annual services ($250)
Annual service for what?<br /><br />
Total for 3 years is about $981 in parts and labor
Total for 300 hours is $28.00. Not $981. This is in line with the maintenance records of my F50's. Just oil and filters and a little owner maintenance.<br /><br />
plus that means around 3 or 4 trips to the dealer, waiting for service, then 3 or 4 more trips to the dealer to pick the boat up.
Only if you want your dealer to change your oil and winterize your outboard. Luxuries have their inconvenience. Maybe you should take your E-TEC to the dealer every time you need to add oil?<br /><br />
According to the factory an E-TEC would not need dealer service, spark plugs, or l/u oil (fresh water) for 300 hours or 3 years
The problem is, that could be said for any outboard. Any manufacturer could stretch it to that. I suppose I could go 300 hours on the same L/U oil too. Spark plugs? They could go 300 hours. Sure. And since my 4-strokes never see a dealer's shop in 300 hours, I suppose I could say they don't need service either.<br /><br />
winterizing can be done automatically by the customer.
Likewise, a customer can winterize his 4-stroke.<br /><br />
Using factory XD-50 (FICHT Ram oil) bulk oil from a dealer for about $14/ gallon in which usage would be about 2 gallons a year ICOMIA averages (50 hours annually) times 3 years would equal $84. Even if you bought it retail in gallon jugs at $22, it would only total $132 for 3 years.
The E-TEC is designed for using $special$ XD-100 oil. I saw it for about $40 a gallon at my dealer. If you want to use XD-50 oil, you will need to take your E-TEC back to the dealer and have it re-programmed for that oil. Then plan on using twice as much of it. <br /><br />
No matter how you look at it, the E-TEC is a lot less expensive to maintain.
More convenient maybe. And you have no idea about the expenses that will be associated with maintaining the E-TEC. <br /><br />Answer me this seahorse....<br /><br />1. Does the "no maintenance" thing apply to E-TEC's used on the salt water? If not, why not?<br /><br />2. Does the "no maintenance" thing apply only to "recreational" use? If so, why?<br /><br />3. How much does a E-TEC spark plug cost at the dealership?<br /><br />4. What's special about the E-TEC L/U that allows it to go 3 years without changing oil?<br /><br />5. Will "no maintenance" for 3 years cost more in the long run....say year 4, 6, or 8?<br /><br />6. What maintenance is required
after 3 years?<br /><br />7. Did you factor in the large initial cost difference of the two outboards?<br /><br />8. Did you factor in the longevity difference of the two outboards?
